LOCAL NEWS
LOCAL BUSINESS
LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
Business news from in and around East Durham
A development of high-quality family homes with large areas of open spaces and commitments to local school improvements are on the way for a County Durham village. National planning and development consultancy Lichfields secured permission from Durham County Council...
Businesses from across East Durham are invited to attend a virtual networking event next week. The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups have organised the event to give businesses the chance to updates and learn more about the support available to help them during...
CyberWhite, a Seaham-based cyber security firm, has delivered strong results for the financial year 2019-2020. Highlights of the year-end report include: An increase in the total turnover of 286 per cent Gross profit increased by £196,000 New clients increased grew by...
A national financial planning firm has increased its workforce as business continues to boom following a rebrand. Former Independent financial advisor (IFA) Tony Slimmings started offering freelance paraplanning services in early 2017, before scaling up and launching...
A County Durham food business has worked to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of a scheme to make businesses more energy efficient. Charltons, a well-known food business in Peterlee, significantly increased its food delivery service during lockdown when it was...
A North East company has made a multimillion-pound investment to quadruple its office space and create hundreds of new jobs. Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has agreed a lease on a new building on Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, taking its total office space to...
A football team in Easington has been able to invest in new kits for its players after securing a new sponsor. Easington Under-15s, which plays in the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, has announced Harry’s Fish and Chip Shop has become its new sponsor. The...
Plans for a major new business park in Durham City are progressing thanks to £6 million of government funding. Durham County Council has secured the money from the government’s Getting Building Fund, which aims to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across the...
CyberWhite, a cybersecurity firm based in Seaham, is welcoming two new Business Development Managers to its team as part of its continued growth. Charlotte Topping and Jemma Cavana-Cole join the firm, bringing with them a wealth of sales and customer service...
More businesses are set to benefit from a financial support scheme set up to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County is widening the eligibility criteria for its local Discretionary Grants Fund so that hundreds more businesses can...
Construction companies across County Durham are being offered professional support to help them grow and secure new business. Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP) is a European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) programme offering business support to SMEs in...
Budding entrepreneurs across East Durham are being encouraged to seek advice from business support experts as the country continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. East Durham Business Service helps people throughout the area to turn their business dreams...
A Seaham company has set an ambitious target to double its headcount this year. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been on a rapid growth journey since its inception in 2012, reaching 300 employees at the start of 2020. After a 2015 move to Spectrum...
Digital Drive County Durham has been awarded an additional £2,340,000 of funding to continue supporting small and medium enterprises across the county until June 2023. Initially, the programme was a £4m initiative to help SMEs in County Durham to maximise their growth...
A site manager, who is building new homes in Seaham, has won a prestigious national award for his work at a local housing development. Site manager at Bellway’s Byron Heights, Geoff Ward, has been named as the winner of a National House-Building Council (NHBC) Pride...
Japanese corporation, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, is gearing up for growth after becoming the first tenant at a new County Durham business park. Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe (SEWS-E), is expanding and relocating its workforce from its base at...
The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups are hosting the next virtual Network with your Neighbour event tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) from 11am. Via Zoom, the event is the second of its kind, and replaces the usual quarterly events organised by the group which are...
The Peterlee and Seaham business parks’ group is delighted to announce the appointment of Terry Jones onto its steering committee. Terry, the new Operations Director and Business Development Manager at the Steadfast Group, is the latest figurehead to join the group....
Two newly-independent County Durham engineering firms are aiming to scale up their operations after securing six-figure investments from the North East Growth Capital Fund Supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Alpha Process Controls and Aldona Seals...
Businesses in County Durham are being invited to seek financial support following the extension of grants schemes. Durham County Council is extending the business rates grants schemes it has been administering on behalf of the government during the coronavirus...
The County Durham Growth Fund has been awarded an additional £4,000,000 of funding to continue supporting businesses across the county until June 2023. Established in April 2019, the fund was initially a £4.9m capital grant scheme providing grants to small and medium...
Businesses across East Durham are being asked to complete a survey on the impact COVID-19 has had on their company. The Durham & Darlington Covid-19 Business Impact Survey aims to gather data which can be used to help the economic recovery in the coming weeks and...
More than 160 water company employees have volunteered to support their local communities during the Covid-19 period. A total of 167 Northumbrian Water employees have already signed up to donate their time to supporting great causes, including the NHS and St John's...
The Government’s world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule. From 8am yesterday (Wednesday) self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus will be...
East Durham businesses are being given the chance to network with fellow companies as the coronavirus lockdown continues. Following the success of their first virtual networking event, Peterlee and Seaham business park groups are once again bringing people together...
North-East manufacturer BTS Facades and Fabrications hasn’t let Covid-19 halt its work with a local trust by paying upfront for future services, ensuring the continuation of The Employability Trust. The trust, which has helped 234 people gain sustainable employment...
Coronavirus and your business – with HR expert Alison Schreiber. In these challenging times as lockdown continues to impact the day to day running of many of our businesses, we want to ensure our members have access to the most up to date information that could affect...
An innovative envelope manufacturer has become the only company in the UK to offer the latest technology to help its clients stand out from the crowd. Encore Envelopes, which has its headquarters in Washington and a site in Dewsbury, has invested in a state-of-the-art...
A business support organisation is encouraging people to turn these challenging times due to the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity and to think about starting their own business. While Britain is on lockdown and people are working at home, on ‘furloughed’...
North East firm Redu has launched a new benefits app to reward brave front line workers with small acts of kindness from the public. The Seaham-based tech company created Front Line Rewards as a gesture of thanks to the selfless heroes caring for us in our time of...
HR expert Alison Schreiber is urging employers to consider the mental health and wellbeing of their staff during the coronavirus pandemic. In her latest blog, Durham-based Alison, who is the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups' resident HR partner, offers some...
Tomorrow's Peterlee and Seaham business park groups' Network with your Neighbour event at Seaham Hall Hotel has been cancelled. The groups, led by chairman Paul Wellstead, took the decision following advice from Business Durham and the Government as the coronavirus...
A talented musician who worked for studios in London before returning to his native North East is seeing his dream project finally hit the right note. Dave Brown from Peterlee recently opened Big Foot Studios in the former Parkside Club at Horden Welfare Park, having...
Sarah Slaven has been appointed Interim Managing Director at Business Durham following the departure of Brian Archer. Sarah will hold this position while recruitment for a replacement Managing Director takes place. She was part of the management team that established...
Peterlee IT company Protech has donated a laptop to a resident at Barchester Hawthorns Care Centre. The donation is part of its ‘Pay It Forward’ programme to support local charities and organisations in the area. Ian Murphy, COO at Protech, said: “The most rewarding...
A business support organisation which helps people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams is holding further sessions for employed individuals who are keen to become their own boss. Last year East Durham Business Service (EDBS), based in Peterlee, held the evening...
A fast-growing financial advice company has agreed a partnership with a regional charity which will see the family firm become its flagship sponsor. Wealth of Advice has announced an initial year-long sponsorship of the Bringing Back a Smile charity, which helps...
A north-east asset finance brokerage has helped businesses throughout the UK gain access to over £10m in funding throughout 2019. Peterlee-based Dealer Net Finance has arranged bespoke financial plans for businesses in a wide range of sectors including agriculture,...
Following a successful pilot of the Bitesize Business Sessions, NBSL are now bringing their workshop programme to East Durham. Based in the new Enterprise House at Seaham, a series of short sessions has been developed exclusively for County Durham SME businesses to...
One of the largest, long term lettings in the North East out-of-town office market in the last 12 months has been confirmed for a business park in Seaham. Paul Wellstead, the developer behind Spectrum Business Park, has agreed a 15-year lease of the three-story,...
Steadfast Security has come a long way in the last eighteen months, securing contracts worth over two million pounds, purchasing another security firm and according to Business Development Manager Mike McGaun a lot of that success was born from a seed planted at the...
A business support organisation which helps people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams is holding further sessions for employed individuals who are keen to become their own boss. Last year East Durham Business Service (EDBS), based in Peterlee, held the evening...
‘ParkingPerx’ businessman Chris Reed has announced the appointment of a highly experienced Board of Directors for the company, including an entrepreneur from East Durham. The appointments come after the founder of ProxiSmart Ltd secured co-investment from Mercia...
A North East training company has confirmed it has saved 11 jobs. Durham-based Learning Curve Group (LCG), which also includes the former Peterlee company Profound, has taken on the Hartlepool branch of Total Training Limited. LCG, which also runs a Beauty Academy in...
A man who spent two years living on the streets of the North East has now moved into his own home thanks to the support of a homelessness support worker and a financial advice company. Earlier this year Wealth of Advice, run by Peterlee businessman Chris Breward, was...
A leading business figure who champions apprenticeships and training for the engineering sectors has been appointed to a group which spearheads East Durham’s business growth. Andy Buckworth, who is centre manager at TTE in Peterlee, which specialises in fabrication,...
County Durham training provider, Learning Curve Group, has been successful in their retention of the gold accreditation from Investors in People. The accreditation awards organisations that provide top class people management and keep staff at the centre of their...
The second issue of a new magazine which celebrates East Durham's thriving business community is out now. East Durham Business features a four-page interview with VBites entrepreneur Heather Mills, plus features with Andy Laundon from Enterprise House Seaham, Graeme...
National training provider Learning Curve Group - which acquired Peterlee's Profound Group last year - has announced a new partnership with gym chain Xercise4Less. The partnership will offer four exceptional Level 3 qualifications to develop the next generation of...
Great Annual Savings Group has been presented with two awards for its contribution to local charities. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has become the first recipient of the Winskill Award, after recently receiving the Payroll Giving Quality Mark highest...
Homefair Blinds, which has head offices in Seaham and Manchester, has been acquired in a management buy-out led by Steve Ellithorn, Claire Ripley and Shaun Welsh. The trio acquired the company from retiring director, Jonathan Fitton. The County Durham retailer and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves have sought advice to pursue their business dreams. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support in the North East 2 Programme, has...
Financial advice company Wealth of Advice has made another key appointment as it continues to add to its client portfolio. Cristina Duran Alvarez has been appointed to work within the client administration team. The 29-year-old was offered the job just 15 days before...
A business centre which provides high quality accommodation for new and growing SMEs has been officially opened. Enterprise House Seaham was opened by the Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Linda Willis, who cut the ribbon to declare the facility ready for business, and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves are being given support to make the leap from secure work to running their own business. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support...
A Peterlee company which refurbishes old computers and laptops for redistribution back into the community has launched a new charity campaign. Protech has started the “Pay it Forward” campaign, which aims to level the IT playing field, helping people with a 'if we...
A North East training company is aiming to scale up its operations with the help of a six-figure investment from the North East Growth Capital Fund Supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Positive Futures (NE) works with a range of local authorities and...
Record numbers of people attended this year’s EMCON as Heather Mills took to the stage to give the event’s keynote address. Ms Mills, whose vegan food empire is the biggest producer of vegan-based food in the world, took to the stage to share her entrepreneurial...
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, part of a global Fortune 500 corporation founded in 1615, is the first tenant to sign up for a new business unit at Jade Business Park in Durham. Jade Business Park, which is now under construction, is a 55 acre employment site...
Ray Lonsdale, the man behind the famous ‘Tommy’ sculpture of a soldier from the First World War, which is an iconic attraction within Seaham, will officially open a business centre offering high quality, flexible accommodation for new and growing businesses. Ray’s...
A man who was made redundant from the former Walkers crisps factory in Peterlee has turned setback into opportunity by launching his own business. Neil Harrison found himself unemployed when he lost his job after 32 years of employment. The 52-year-old father-of-two...
ZF, the Peterlee-based leader in the production of specialist safety camera equipment for vehicles, has been confirmed as a ‘VIP company’ at this year’s EMCON. The company is the one of several regional big hitters to be announced, all of which will be taken around to...
A leading North East supplier of print and packaging solutions is celebrating a significant boost to its team with the announcement of eight new appointments to drive forward plans for future growth. The Encore Group is strengthening the teams across its divisions at...
An organisation which has led the way in supporting the development of the Asian business community in the North of England is celebrating its tenth anniversary by launching two new inspirational campaigns. Asian Business Connexions (ABC), which is supported by...
Three regional business leaders who have embraced innovation, social media and digital technology to grow their business will join Heather Mills on this year’s EMCON Industry Leaders’ Panel Debate. The theme of the event will be ‘Transforming Business and Embracing...
Battery manufacturer Alexander Technologies Europe Ltd (ATEL) has been acquired by its incumbent management team in a transaction part-funded under a £9.2m senior secured unitranche facility provided by Shard Credit Partners. The transaction, which has been completed...
Businesses are urged to book their place at the final Incubator Zone programme at this year’s EMCON event, with only a few stands remaining. The programme, one of five strands of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), is aimed at companies within County...
Businesses in County Durham have only ten days left to apply for free energy advice that could save them thousands of pounds on their utility bills each year. Trevor Robson, Secretary of Beamish Park Golf Club, near Stanley, urged small to medium-sized enterprises to...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) is looking to further expand its community impact by dedicating resource to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Seaham-based B2B cost consultancy has donated more than £45,000 over the last 12 months to its three corporate...
A high quality and much needed business centre which puts Seaham at its very heart will open next month. Businessmen Andy Laundon and Lee Bishton are transforming the unused building at Enterprise Court within Seaham Grange Industrial Estate into office space for new...
A family-run retirement advice company which helps people invest their wealth for maximum return has seen its portfolio rise to over £115m – having started with just one person. Wealth of Advice is headed up by East Durham entrepreneur Chris Breward, who launched the...
Staff at a North East firm have outdone themselves by raising more than £45,000 in 12 months for three charities in the region. Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) employees have raised funds for their three chosen charities through a series of activities, events and...
Businesswoman Heather Mills, who owns the former Walkers Crisps factory in Peterlee, has been confirmed as keynote speaker at this year’s EMCON event. The announcement was made by the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) which organises EMCON. Visionary...
Several companies have booked their place for the final Incubator Zone programme at this year’s EMCON event and East Durham companies are urged not to miss out. The programme, one of five strands of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), is aimed at...
A new magazine to showcase East Durham’s thriving business community launches next week. East Durham Business will be a flagship publication, replacing the printed PBP News and SBP News newsletters. The magazine has been developed by the team at LEC Communications and...
Planning consent has been given for a new multi-million pound business park which could see the creation of more than 2,500 jobs in County Durham. As a first phase, Durham County Council is funding the construction of seven speculative units (comprising 155,000 sq ft)...
A North East care professional has completed her second residential care home acquisition six months after her first – and she is already on the lookout for further similar properties to add to her growing business. After acquiring the Langley House Residential Care...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has once again expanded its B2B customer offering by teaming up with a fellow County Durham business. Shredding expert Shred Base deals with secure, GDPR-compliant document and product disposal for businesses across the UK. GAS will...
ZF in Peterlee has smashed its £1,000 fundraising target after entering a team into Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life event in Sunderland earlier this month. Thirteen staff members took part in the charity event, with the only male who entered, Harry Robson, crossing...
Businesses are being encouraged to review their social media policies on the back of the sacking of BBC broadcaster Danny Baker. HR expert Alison Schreiber, who works closely with the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups, is urging businesses to think clearly...
UK electrical safety testing expert Seaward Electronic has made two new appointments to its board of directors. Experienced systems engineer Jonathan Odonde joins the Peterlee based business as chief technology officer, while financial expert Graham Lawrence takes on...
Businesses in County Durham could save thousands of pounds on their energy bills each year by taking advantage of an energy saving advice scheme. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the county have until the beginning of September this year to apply...
A Peterlee company has announced a new partnership to simplify the way PCs are refreshed and disposed of. Protech Group and JRA announced a strategic partnership to simplify PC Refresh projects and the associated PC disposal process. Protech, which is based on...
From horsebox catering to light and airy café as Charltons proves its catering pedigree… Review by Leanne Fawcett, MD of LEC Communications and Design. For several years we at LEC have been firm fans of catering company Charltons. We love our food and when it’s fresh,...
Further to the publication of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (NELEP) second annual ‘Our Economy’ report, the £120m regional investment programme, North East Fund, is encouraging SMEs to attend its next funding support event being held in County Durham....
Vivarail, the manufacturer of eco-friendly passenger trains, has accelerated expansion of its site in County Durham and turned it into its national research and development centre, creating new jobs faster than expected. It opened the new plant at the Spectrum...
Twenty new jobs have been created since a support programme to help County Durham engineering and manufacturing companies to grow launched. The Incubator Zone was added to the EMCON line up in 2017 to attract those companies who had never before exhibited at the...
Business leaders have been encouraged to 'make a difference' with their success by one of the UK's most philanthropic, celebrity entrepreneurs during her visit to the North East at the region's largest business conference. Speaking to an audience of more than 300...
A former apprentice has proved his employer’s investment in him was no waste as he begins a permanent job with the company. Callum Summerill has been completing an 18-month business administration apprenticeship with Peterlee-based Shred Direct, after being taken on...
A new multi-million pound business park development on a former colliery could see the creation of more than 2,500 jobs in County Durham, subject to planning permission. As a first phase, Durham County Council is funding the construction of seven units (comprising...
Growing businesses from County Durham's manufacturing and engineering sectors are being urged not to miss out on tapping into support from a unique exhibition programme. The Incubator Zone is a support strand of Business Durham’s Durham Business Opportunities...
Ramsdens has relocated to Castle Dene Shopping Centre in Peterlee. The popular value retailer and financial services brand has moved from a shop at Yoden Way. The new store, which is located in a cornerstone area of the town centre opposite Costa coffee and on the...
Small and medium sized food producers from County Durham are snapping up support to get their products to market. The Durham Food and Drink Network is helping producers of all sizes, who are making tasty and distinctive food and drink products but don’t know how to...
Two businesses which are each undergoing a period of significant growth are moving to bigger offices to accommodate their continued expansion. QuickRebates and SSK Recruitment are both based within Novus Business Centre in Peterlee. And as each business has won new...
An event looking at the need to adopt a joined up approach to skills development has taken place. The TTE Technical Institute, which has a facility in Peterlee, has hosted a skills roundtable discussion event together with Policy Connect and the Learning and Work...
A Peterlee training company is helping one of the UK’s largest contract wine bottlers to fully utilise its share of the apprenticeship levy. GEM Training is the long-term partner of County Durham’s Greencroft Bottling Company and is delivering a number of training...
From today, the government’s major Making Tax Digital programme becomes law for over one million VAT registered businesses earning over £85,000. The new rules, first announced in 2015, will mean most businesses above the VAT threshold will need to keep their records...
An experienced design engineer is utilising waste glass and gin bottles to diversify his business into the arts and crafts retail market. Jim Box, Managing Director of Peterlee-based Be Smart Solutions, saw a gap in the market to customise discarded glass bottles...
Businesses from across the region came together to share plans for growth, despite the current economic uncertainty. The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups held their first Network with your Neighbour event of 2019 at Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa this...
The TTE Technical Institute has rebranded its County Durham training facility, following its acquisition last year, as part of the continued growth of its portfolio of services to industry. The Peterlee-based facility, formerly Infinite Learning and Development (ILD),...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been confirmed as a new affiliate partner, and preferred energy supplier, for the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN). The Seaham-based business savings company replaces Utilitywise, which entered administration earlier...
Companies across County Durham are being encouraged to sign up for the final phase of a unique exhibition programme. The Incubator Zone is a support strand of Business Durham’s Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), created to help new and growing micro and...